Looking to get a breath of fresh air? Think all trees look the same in winter? Shake the short day doldrums and learn how to identify local trees without their leaves on a guided ramble through the ruins of Fort Montgomery. This program, geared for adults and children aged 14 and up, is FREE and will last about 1.5 hours. Hiking boots are recommended.

September 06, 2011

Hike into History following the 1777 British route of attack on Revolutionary War Forts Montgomery and Clinton! Beginning at 10 AM in front of the Bear Mountain Inn, discover how the battle for the Twin Forts unfolded by taking a docent led tour of Fort Clinton including stops at the stone wall, the outer redoubt, and the unique Trailside History Museum, home to a superb archaeological collection from the Twin Forts. Then, march across the pedestrian suspension bridge and be greeted by costumed interpreters for a noon tour of Fort Montgomery. Tour will end with a 1:15 PM cannon and musket- firing demonstration. Visitors are free to partake in one or both legs of the tour. 4 miles total of moderate/difficult terrain. Sturdy walking shoes recommended. Not suited for children under 13. Bring lunch and drink. Meet guide at Bear Mountain Inn Parking Lot at 10 AM for Fort Clinton leg or at 12:30 PM at Fort Montgomery for Fort Montgomery Tour only (parking at Fort Montgomery Visitor Center lot).

Parking at Bear Mountain State Park is $8 per vehicle. Parking at Fort Montgomery lot free. Costumed interpreters and a small scale re-enactment part of the Ramble. Pre-Registration required.

The Appalachian Trail is well known, but its history is not. Starting at the fort’s visitor center, participants will hike to the trail’s newly rerouted section on Bear Mountain, learning about its history, but stopping along the way to take in items of natural interest including indigenous plants, animals, trees, and geology. This is an intermediate/difficult hike, so bring your boots, water, and a snack.

Saturday, May 14th, 10 AM - 4 PM: British Brigade Academy

British regulars, German mercenaries and Loyalist troops will be on site to give visitors a view of the non-rebellious side of the American Revolution.

Saturday, May 21st, 10 AM - 4 PM: 5th New York Regiment Muster Day

Fort Montgomery’s own 5th NY Regiment will be garrisoning the fort and preparing for the campaign season by establishing a camp, conducting military drills and camp life activities, and firing the fort’s three cannons. Be prepared to be immersed in the action!

**Monday, May 30th: Fort Montgomery will be CLOSED for Memorial Day**

Saturday, June 4th, 10 AM – 4 PM: Colonial Trades and Skills Day

Trades people will be on hand demonstrating coopering, blacksmithing, broom-making, fishnet-weaving, hornsmithing, quilting, cider-making, Native-American skills and more! Try your own hand at one or more of these trades and help preserve history!

Sunday, June 5th, 9 AM: Birding at the Battlefield

Ever look out your back window and wonder to yourself “What kind of bird is that?” Find out once and for all by joining noted birder David Baker for a beginner bird walk through the ruins of Fort Montgomery. Discover which of our winged friends garrison themselves in the fort year-round and which ones are just on temporary posting.

Saturday, July 2nd, 12 PM: Declaration of Independence Day Cannon Firing Program

In 1776 John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail “The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more.” Join us as we celebrate in true John Adams fashion the actual date that American Independence was declared, by firing the fort’s artillery, including “George”, the 32-pounder cannon.

**Monday, July 4th: Fort Montgomery will be CLOSED for Independence Day**

**Saturdays and Sundays in July and August: Musket Demonstrations at Noon and 3 PM, Artillery Demonstration at 1 PM**

**Monday, September 5th, Labor Day: Fort Montgomery will be CLOSED**

Saturday, October 1st, 10 AM – 5 PM: Twin Forts Day

Join us for the annual commemoration of the bloody October 6th 1777 assault on Forts Montgomery & Clinton with military drills, living history demonstrations, cannon firings and reenactment of the battle.

March 21, 2011

Thursday Night Speaker Series, proudly sponsored by the Fort Montgomery Battle Site Association, is seating by reservation only and is limited to the first 50 requests. You may reserve seats by calling 845-446-2134. Please leave your name, phone number, and number of people in your party.

Fort Montgomery is located at 690 Route 9W, ¼ mile north of the Bear Mountain Bridge. Call 845-446-2134 for more information.

Indians in the Ramapos: April 7 at 7 PM

Archaeologist Ed Lenik sifts through the layered evidence of human history in the Ramapo Mountains region to detect patterns that bear witness to the Native American presence there. Using archaeology, historical accounts, and oral tradition, Lenik develops a story that testifies to their presence, persistence, and survival.

From Mahicantuck to the Millenium: 400 Years of Hudson River Natural History: April 28th at 7 PM

Recently, the Hudson Valley celebrated the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s sail up the river that now bears his name. DEC Education Coordinator Steve Stanne will discuss the ecosystem that Hudson saw, it’s alterations since 1609, its biological richness today, and the challenges it faces in the future.

Claudius Smith: Revolutionary Rogue or Robin Hood?: May 19th at 7 PM

Due to demand “the Scourge of the Ramapos” is back! Author Patricia Edwards Clyne will present once more the harrowing tale of Claudius Smith, hailed by some as a champion of charity during the American Revolution, but eventually hanged as a thief and a profiteer. Come to your own verdict after this popular lecture. Book sale and signing to follow lecture.

Sterling Gardens: June 16th at 7 PM

Acclaimed educator and local historian Doc Bayne will present the little known tale of the Sterling Gardens, the world class botantical establishment that once thrived in Sterling Forest. Doc will chart the start of the gardens in 1960 and the changes it had to undergo to hold the public’s interest.

So Many Brave Men: A History of the Battle at Minisink Ford: July 21st at 7 PM

For the first time in years a new history has been written about the only Revolutionary War battle to take place in the Upper Delaware River valley. Many participants of the Battle at Minisink Ford were veterans of the fight here at Fort Montgomery. This presentation by author Peter Osborne explores the history of the battle and the effect it had on the lives of the settlers who lived in the valley.

The Highland Adventures of William T. Howell: August 11 at 7 PM

Perhaps no one loved the Hudson Highlands as much as William T. Howell. Born in Newburgh in 1873, Howell tramped through the region one hundred years ago and witnessed improvements such as Route 9W and Bear Mountain State Park. Today his massive collection of photos and commentary, provided via a slide lecture by Lynette Scherer, offers the modern lover of the Highlands an interesting peek into life in the lower Hudson valley at the turn of the last century.

Sober, Industrious Women: Wives of British Soldiers in America: September 29th at 7 PM

More than ten percent of the British Soldiers who fought in the American Revolution brought their wives and families with them to America. As nurses, laundresses, and sutlers the wives shared in the hardships and adventures of an army on service far from home. Historian Don Hagist will present an overview of the roles and experiences of British army wives in America.

Looking to get a breath of fresh air? Think all trees look the same in early spring? Shake the winter doldrums and learn how to identify trees without their leaves! Come for a guided ramble through the ruins of Fort Montgomery State Historic Site and discover how to distinguish local trees without their leaves. The program, which is FREE and open to all, is geared for adults and children 14 and up and will be roughly an hour and a half long. Hiking are boots recommended.

Fort Montgomery is located at 690 Route 9W, ¼ mile north of the Bear Mountain Bridge. For more information or directions, please call (845) 446- 2134.

February 19, 2011

In the colonial herb garden, seasonings and the house medicine cabinet were always close at hand…

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation

Palisades Interstate Park Commission

Fort Montgomery State Historic Site

Eco-lutionary: Unintentionally “Green” in the 1700s

Saturday, February 26th, 1:30 PM

In this slide presentation and hands-on show and tell, Fort Montgomery State Historic Site Interpreter Peter Cutul will present some of the numerous and innovative ways our colonial ancestors reduced, re-used, and recycled. Cutul will demonstrate how the colonials were on the cutting edge or even ahead of the curve of many of today’s fashionable, “green” practices. The program will conclude with practical tidbits we can start at home, as well as those practices perhaps better left in the past!

This FREE program occurs on Saturday, February 26th, 1:30 PM. For more information, please call the site at (845) 446-2134.

HUDSON RIVER MILES

HUDSON RIVER MILES

The Hudson is measured north from Hudson River Mile 0 at the Battery at the southern tip of Manhattan. The George Washington Bridge is at HRM 12, the Tappan Zee 28, Bear Mountain 47, Beacon-Newburgh 62, Mid-Hudson 75, Kingston-Rhinecliff 95, Rip Van Winkle 114, and the Federal Dam at Troy, the head of tidewater, at 153. Entries from points east and west in the watershed reference the corresponding river mile on the mainstem.